Method for producing spray oil



Aug. 16, 1966 E. L. WILSON, JR., ETAL METHOD FOR PRODUCING SPRAY OIL Original Filed Oct. 22, 1962 23 I MAKE-UP SOLVENT 25 WATER 2| 26 SOLVENT STRIPPER HEATER DISTILLATION ZONE '6 SOLVENT EXTRACTION 3o CATALYTIC ZONE PM; CRACKING ,5;

cvcu: L I 47 HYDROFINING STOCK 3 zom-z Q4; 5,4; ZZZ [44(4- l9 EXTRACT PHASE 32 DEWAXING SOLVENT SOLVENT 3a 37 34 f REMOVAL DEWAXING ZONE zone -WAX DISTILLATiON zone FINISHED 7 SPRAY on. 46 48 49 57/ ///////HYDROGENATION 59/, ZONE 50- HYDROGENATED SPRAY on. 5| INVENTORS.

EDWARD L- WILSON,JR., BY THOMAS G. L|P$COMB,JI

ATTOR 3,267,020 METHOD FOR PRODUCENG SPRAY Oil; Edward L. Wilson, Jr. and Thomas G. Lipscomb 1111, Baytown, Tern, assiguors, by mesne assignments, to Esso Research and Engineering Company, Elizabeth, NJ, a corporation of Delaware Original application Oct. 22, 1962, Ser. No. 232,068, new Patent No. 3,227,609, dated Jan. 4, 1966. Divided and this application June 15, 1964, Ser. No. 375,194

4 (Ilaims. (1. 208-28) This application is a division of Serial No. 232,068, filed October 22, 1962 now Patent No. 3,227,609, entitled Spray Oil, for Edward L. Wilson, lr., and Thomas G. Lipscomb, II.

The present invention is directed to a spray oil. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a spray oil for application to fruit trees and the like. In its more specific aspects, the invention is concerned with an essentially saturated spray oil derived from a catalytic cracking cycle stock.

The present invention may be briefly described as an insecticidal spray oil consisting essentially of a saturated hydrocarbon fraction derived from catalytic cracking cycle stock. The fraction is comprised of hydrocarbons having molecular weights in the range from 260 to 380, and has an ASTM unsulfonated residue of at least about 95%. The hydrocarbon fraction has distilling be tween about 360 F. to about 420 F., and 90% distilling between about 420 F. to about 520 F. as determined by the ASTM 13-1160 method at 10 mm. pressure. The spray oil may suitably contain an oil-soluble emulsifying agent.

The present invention also involves a method i'or killing insects on fruit trees and the like which comprises applying to the fruit trees or other vegetation an emulsion of a spray oil, the spray oi] consisting essentially of the saturated hydrocarbon traction derived from catalytic cracking stock, the saturated hydrocarbon fraction comprised of hydrocarbons having molecular weights in the range from about 260 to 380 and an ASTM unsulfonated residue of at least about 95%.

The present invention also provides a method for producing a spray oil in which a selected inaction of catalytic cracking cycle stock is extracted with a solvent having a preferential selectivity for the relatively more aromatic type constituents as compared to the relatively more parafiinic type constituents under conditions to form a raffinate phase and an extract phase. The phases are separated and the rafiinate phase, after removal of solvent, is subjected to catalytic hydrofining conditions to reduce the sulfur content to less than about 50 ppm. The hydrofined material is dewaxed and the spray oil is recovered from the dewaxed product. The dewaxed product may be hydrogenated in the presence of hydrogenation catalyst.

The term catalytic cycle stock as used herein is indicative of the fraction or fractions obtained in a catalytic cracking process having a boiling range above the gasoline range. In other words, in the operation of a catalytic cracking unit, a gaseous product, gasoline, catalytic cycle stock and a bottoms fraction are obtained. Characteristics of the catalytic cycle stock are an index of refraction measured at 67 C. within the range of about 1.4900 to about 1.5200 and a gravity within the range of about 17 to about 26 API (60 F.). Catalytic cycle stock, as described in the Wadley patent, U.S. 2,902,443, is a fraction of catalytic cycle stock which may boil in the range from about 670 F. to about 1015 F. and boiling substantially below about 900 F. Catalytic cracking recycle stock contains aromatics and paraf- States Patent O W Patented August 16, 1966 fins, as well as noncondensed and condensed naphthenes and various aromatic sulfur-containing compounds.

The solvent extraction operation is suitably conducted by introducing the catalytic cracking stock fraction into the upper portion of an elongated column while solvent is introduced into the lower portion thereof. The cycle stock and solvent move countercurrently through the column, wherein eitective contact between the countercurrently moving phases is generally secured by distributing and contacting means such as by bell cap trays, contact masses, distributing plates, pierced plates, and the like. Temperature and pressure conditions are maintained in the column by suitable means to secure the formation of an extract and a rafiinate phase. The solvents used in the solvent extraction step, according to the present invention, have a preferential selectivity for the relatively more aromatic type constituents as compared to the relatively more paramnic type constituents. Solvents which may be used in the present invention are, for example, phenol, furfural, sulfur dioxide, cresol, aniline, nitrobenzene, beta-betadichloroethyl ether (chlorex), and the like. Such solvents may be further modified with regard to selectivity and solvent power by the addition of inert solvents for example, by the addition of water, alcohols or glycols. Of these solvents, according to the present invention, phenol is preferred.

The solvent extraction of the catalytic cycle stock may be carried out at temperatures between about 120 F. and about 175 F., but preferably at a temperature in the range from about 140 F. to about 150 F. The solvent to catalytic cycle stock ratio may be in a range from about 0.5:1 to about 5:1. The preferred solvent to catalytic cycle stock ratio is 1:1. Such latter conditions are suitable where phenol is the solvent.

The dewaxing operation, in accordance with the present invention, may be conducted with several dewaxing solvents such as ketone-aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures as illustrated by methyl ethyl ketone-toluene mixtures,

propane, and the like. As illustrative of the dewaxing solvents may be mentioned a solvent consisting of methyl ethyl ketone and 35% toluene. Other solvents may also be used. Dewaxing temperatures may range for a ketone-aromatic solvent from about l5 F. to about +20 F. with solvent-*to-oil ratios from about 1.0 to about 5.0. Preferred temperatures are within the range from about 0 F. to about 10 F., and a preferred solventto-oil ratio is about 2.7.

In the hydrofining operation, the preferred catalyst is cobalt molybdate on a suitable support such as alumina. Other hydrofining catalysts such as but not limited to molybdenum disulfide, nickel-molybdenum, nickel-cobalt molybdate, nickel-tungsten sulfide, and iron-cobalt molybdate deposited on suitable bases may be employed. Temperatures may range from about 500 F. to about 700 F. with preferred temperatures from about 600 F. to about 630 F. Pressures may range from about 600 to 1000 p.s.i. with preferred pressures within the range from about 650 to about 750 p.s.i. Space velocities may range from about 0.5 to about 3.0 v./v./hr. with preferred space velocities within the range from about 1 to about 2. Hydrogen is suitably employed in the hydrofining operation in the amount from about to about 1000 s.c.f./bbl. with a preferred amount of hydrogen from about 500 to about 600 s.c.f./bbl.

The hydrogenation step is preferably conducted with a high nickel content catalyst such as one containing about 65% nickel on kieselguhr. Group VIII metals in elementary forms or the oxides thereof may be used in hydrogenation. As examples thereof but not limited thereto may be mentioned nickel, platinum, paladium, and rhodium. Specific examples include nickel on kieselguhr and platinum on alumina.

Hydrogenation temperatures may range from about 300 F. to about 600 F. with preferred temperatures in the range from about 450 F. to about 575 F. Pressures may range from about 600 to about 1000 p.s.i. with a preferred pressure from about 800 to about 950 psi. Space velocities may range from about 0.1 to about 1.5 with a preferred space velocity from about 0.1 to about 0.5. Hydrogen is employed in an amount from about 300 to about 9000 s.c.f./bbl. with a preferred amount from about 750 to about 2000 s.c.f./bbl. of feed.

In employing the spray oil in killing insects, it is suitably applied by spraying in the form of an emulsion which readily breaks on deposition on the exposed surfaces of the vegetation. This emulsion suitably may contain from about 0.10% to about 6.0% by volume of the spray oil. A nonionic oil-soluble emulsifying agent is suitably included in the spray oil. As examples of the nonionic emulsifying agents may be mentioned the ethoxylated surface-active agents such as, but not limited to, the alkyl aryl polyether alcohols with a nonionic solubilizer, alkyl polyoxy ethylene glycols such as the product prepared by the alcohol-ethylene oxide addition reaction of tridecyl alcohol with ethylene oxide to yield a glycol with an average ethylene oxide chain length of 4 mols, sodium 'alkyl aryl sulfonates, tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate, oleic acid monoester of C polyethylene glycol, octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol with butyl alcohol as a coupling agent, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl esters, monofatty or rosin acid esters of polyoxyethylene glycol, and the like. Other surface-active agents which are oil soluble and which allow the emulsion to break readily on deposition on fruit trees and the like may suitably be employed.

As a general statement, the properties of an emulsification agent to be used in citrus spray oil should be that the emulsifier is readily soluble in the spray oil in the amount of 0.25% to 1.0% by volume and it should remain in solution indefinitely. When 1% to 2% of the oil containing the emulsifier is stirred in water, the oil should be readily emulsified as an oil-in-Water emulsion. The emulsion should break readily when it is sprayed on citrus foliage or fruit. Also, when 1% to 2% of the oil is agitated with water in a tall 4oz. laboratory bottle, some separation of the oil and water should occur shortly after agitation. When 1% to 2% of the oil containing an emulsifier is agitated with water, foaming should not occur. It is desirable that the oil-emulsifier solution have a neutralization number of zero. Moreover, the emulsifier should be affected to a minimum by variations in water hardness or pH.

It is to be emphasized the spray oil of the present invention may be used in an emulsion, containing an emulsification agent or emulsified with water just prior to use with optional inclusion of an emulsifier. Also, the oil may be applied as a mist directly to the fruit trees or fruit although application as an emulsion may be preferred.

When the emulsion is sprayed on citrus fruit trees, it should readily break and deposit the oil thereon. In many areas it is preferred that this oil deposit be of about 150 micrograms of the oil per square centimeter on the surface of the citrus fruit trees and citrus fruit. Actually, the spray oil of the present invention is effective in somewhat smaller quantities and usually amounts not in excess of about 100 micrograms per square centimeter are usually effective in controlling insects which infest citrus trees when an emulsion containing 1.75% by volume of oil is applied. It is contemplated that the oil deposited on fruit trees will usually amount from about 1 microgram to about 80 micrograms per square centimeter.

The present invention will be further illustrated by ref erence to the drawing in which the single figure is a flow diagram of a preferred mode. Referring now to the drawing, numeral 11 designates a charge line 'by way of which a catalytic cracking cycle stock is introduced into the system from a catalytic cracking operation which may be of the fluidized bed type or of the disperse phase or transfer line reaction type. In any event, the cycle stock is introduced into a distillation zone 12, illustrated as a single distillation tower, but which may be a plurality of distillation towers. Zone 12 is provided with suitable internal vapor-liquid contacting means and other auxiliary means such as means for inducing reflux, condensing and cooling means, and the like. Zone 12 is provided with a heating means illustrated by a steam coil 13 for controlling temperatures and pressures. Line 14 is provided by way of which an overhead fraction is removed from zone 12, and line 15 by way of which a heavier fraction is discharged. A heart cut fraction is removed by line 16. It is this fraction from which the spray oil is manufactured. The heart out fraction in line 16 is discharged thereby into a solvent extraction zone 17 into which there is introduced by way of line 18 a suitable solvent such as phenol. Conditions are adjusted in zone 17 for obtaining a raflinate phase and an extract phase. The extract phase is discharged byline 19 for removal of solvent and further processing as may be desired. The raffinate phase is discharged by line 20 into a solvent stripper 21 for removal of solvent from the raffinate phase by line 22 for recycling to line 18. Make-up solvent may be introduced by line 23, controlled by valve 24, and water may be added to line 18 by line 25, controlled by valve 26.

The solvent-free raflinate discharges by line 27 and is passed through a heater 2% for increasing the temperature of the raflinate to hydrofining temperatures. The heated rafilnate discharges by line 29 into a hydrofining zone 30 containing a bed 31 of hydrofining catalyst such as 3.7% C00 and 13.1%MoO on alumina.

Under the conditions obtaining in zone 30, the raffinate is hydrofined to reduce its sulfur content to less than 50 ppm. The hydrofined product discharges from zone 30 by line 32 and after suitable cooling and fractionation to remove light products and treatment for removal of hydrogen sulfide, is discharged into a solvent dewaxing zone 33 into which there is introduced by way of line 34 a dewaxing solvent. Conditions in zone 33 are provided for precipitation of wax which is discharged by line 35.

The dewaxed oil discharges from zone 33 by line 36 into a solvent removal zone 37 with solvent being discharged therefrom by line 38. The dewaxed oil then discharges by line 39, controlled by valve 40, into a distillation zone 41, which may be similar to distillation zone 12, and may comprise several towers. For purposes of simplicity, zone 41 is shown as a single tower provided with a heating means illustrated by steam coil 42 for adjustment of temperatures and pressures. Light fractions may be removed from the dewaxed oil by line 43 and any heavy fractions may be discharged by line 44. The finished spray oil is withdrawn by line 45 and may be sent to tankage by opening valve 45 to communicate therewith. It may be desirable to hydrogenate at least part of the spray oil and to this end line 47, controlled by valve 48, discharges the spray oil into a hydrogenation zone 49 containing a bed 50 of hydrogenation catalyst such as illustrated. On passage of the spray oil through zone 49, any deleterious substances may be removed and the hydrogenated product is discharged by line 51 and introduced thereby into a distillation zone 52 which is similar to distillation zones 41 and 12. Light fractions are suitably withdrawn overhead by line 53 and adjustment of temperatures and pressures is controlled with heating means such as steam coil 54. Heavy fractions are withdrawn from zone 52 by line 5; while the hydrogenated spray oil is withdrawn by inc 5 It must be emphasized that the spray oils withdrawn by line 45 and line 56 are equivalent in killing insects on fruit trees. However, in the interest of removing any detrimental substances from the spray oil, it may be preferred to hydrogenate same and recover the spray oil by way of line 56.

In order to illustrate the invention further, a distillate from catalytic cycle stock was subjected to solvent extraction with phenol to obtain a rafiinate. This raffinate was then hydrofined and dewaxed to obtain a spray oil. Typical inspections of two runs, in accordance with the present invention, are included in Table I which follows:

6 and eggs of the citrus red rnite [Panonychus citri' (McG.)] which infest citrus trees. An emulsion of the spray oil with water was made up employing an oil-soluble emulsifying agent of the type illustrated.

Tables II through VIII illustrate the data obtained in determining LD95 values for spray oils from catalytic TABLE I Catalytic cycle stock Ratfinate Hydrofined raflinate Dewaxed spray oil Gravity, API 24. 24. 1 38.0 38.0 37. 2 37. 9 34. 8 34. 8 llteiraeiive index, Nd at 60 C 1. 4994 1. 5008 1. 4428 1. 4484 1. 4444 1. 4432 1. 4504 1. 4502 iscosi y:

SSU at 100 F 74. 2 73. 1 64. 9 63. 4 65. 9 65. 5 74. 8 73. 7 SSU at 210 F 36. 6 36. 4 36. 4 36.1 36. 4 36. 4 37.1 37.0 Color, TR 17% 1% 18% 21% 17% 18% 17+ 17% glololrhold, TR 940 yr 17% 20% 17% 18% 17+ 17% 360 355 385 380 380 365 380 350 375 340 370 360 19. 6 18. 5 32. 7 30. 6 22. 6 28. 6 0. 082 0. 40 Aromatics 39. 2 39. 1 4. 7 5. 0 6. 4 5. 7 8.8 8. 3 Bromine No-.- 0. 47 1. 42 1. 06 0.39 Aniline point, F 177 172 222 221 219 221 213 212 Unsulionated residue:

STM 96 96 94 97 98 97 AOAC 93 93 95 94 94 91 Conradson carbon, wt. percent- 0 0 0 0 Carbon 85. 5 85. 4 85. 4 85. 0 Hydrogen 1 14. 3 14. 4 14. 3 14. 0 Nickel (Wet Ash), p.p.m 0. 20 0. 20 0. 20 0. 20 Nitrogen 0. 01 0 Neutralization N0 Neut. 0.011 Ncut. Neut Sulfur, wt. percent 0.60 0. 49 0.037 O. 046 0.01 0 0.012 0. 01 Corrosion, 3 hrs. at 212 F J-4 .T-4 .I-4 J-5 J-4 I-4 .T-4 J-5 ASTM Distillation, mm. D-1160:

FB P 529 527 538 536 543 551 540 520 Recovery, pcrcent 90 98.0 98. 0 98.0 5% off at F- 386 391 405 384 396 418 394 371 10% off at I 403 406 420 403 415 433 405 399 off at F- 418 419 433 423 433 445 424 418 off at F- 428 427 442 438 443 455 436 430 off at F- 435 436 458 448 449 466 444 441 50% off at F 443 445 461 457 457 472 453 451 off at F- 452 454 469 463 466 483 467 461 off at F- 463 462 478 470 474 490 477 471 off at F 474 476 488 481 486 502 490 481 off at F 489 489 503 498 503 516 504 497 off at F- 503 498 522 515 521 533 510 506 Average Molecular Weight 328 325 While the inspections in Table I are illustrative, the invention is not to be limited to spray oils of these particular characteristics. Actually, it is contemplated that the spray oil may be comprised of hydrocarbons having a molecular weight in the range from about 260 to about 380 and having an unsulfonated residue by the ASTM method of at least about 95 Likewise, it is contemplated that the ASTM distillation D-1160 method at 10 pressure may 'be such that the oil has 10% distilling at a temperature in the range between about 360 F. and about 420 F., and 90% distilling at a temperature in the range between about 420 F. and about 520 F. The unsulfonated residue, as measured by the ASTM tests, should be at least about 95 however, spray oils, in accordance with the present invent-ion, ordinarily have unsulfonated residues ranging from about 97% to about 99%. The viscosity of the spray oil at 100 F. SSU may range from about 40 to about whereas, the viscosity at 210 F. may be from about 1.60 centistokes to about 40 SSU.

In order to illustrate the invention further, laboratory tests were made with spray oils from catalytic cycle stock having varying molecular weights where the spray oil was obtained without hydrogenation and where the spray oil was treated by hydrogenation. Tests were made utilizing widely accepted procedures as described in publications by Riehl and La Due (1952) and Riehl et al. (1953) ,on California red scale [Aonidiella aumntii (Mask.)]

stock against California red scale. LD95 is a term well known in the field of entomology which means the lethal dose in micrograme of oil required per square centimeter of plant and/or fruit surface to kill 95% of the exposed scale or eggs.

The LD-95 values shown in Tables 11 through VIII as well as in subsequent tables have been determined by the Probit Analysis procedure. 'Ilhe Probit Analysis procedure is a statistical treatment of the data obtained in entomological experimentation which is well known in the literature and which may be found in the text by D. J. Finney entitled Pr-obit Analysis published in 1947 by the University Press, Cambridge.

It will be seen that LD-95 values for the spray oil in the lower range of molecular weights (280 to 285) were larger than the LD95 values for oils having average molecular weights in the 300 to 360 range, indicating that the oils of higher molecular weight are more efiicient against California red scale.

A comparison of the etficiency of spray oils from catalytic cycle stock with that of oils from conventional parafiinic stock is given in Table XV. It will be seen that the LD95 values of spray oils from catalytic cycle stock of 300 or higher average molecular weight are lower than the LD-95 values for the corresponding conventional oils, thus showing greater efiiciency for the catalytic cycle stocks against California red scale.

7 TABLE II Emulsified 280 M.W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [California red scale] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated. 204 19 61 54 26. 47 23. 10 188 31. 79 56 29. 79 26. 57 127 32 33 29 22. 83 19. 29 293 39 63 144 49. 15 46. 82 233 39 72 91 29. 06 36. 27 243 47 89 187 76. 95 75. 89 191 49. 80 191 52. 88 50. 72 2 3 57. 36 144 64. 57 62. 95 219 60. 60 136 62. 19 60. 36 257 69. 46 195 75. 88 74. 78 165 72 16 123 74.55 73. 38 238 73. 99 212 89. 08 88. 58 201 76. 78 174 86. 57 85. 95 Untreated 251 11 4. 38

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 128.2. 95% confidence limits of LD-95: 114.2 to 143.9. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=5.2l+3.50X. Standard error of coefficient of X=0.19.

No'rE:

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. =Lg1o of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit surface.

TABLE III Enmlsifiea 285 M. W. spray ozl from catalytzc cycle stock [California red scale] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated- 265 26. 46 160 69. 38 54. 97 261 28. 45 75 28. 74 19. 01 278 29. 38 76 27. 34 17. 42 205 29. 44 145 70. 73 66. 73 15 37. 17 120 80. 00 77. 27 214 40. 25 189 88. 32 86. 73 246 49. 205 83. 33 81. 05 218 59. 82 168 77. 06 73. 93 221 62. 203 91. 86 90. 75 222 63. 45 188 84. 68 82. 59 255 69. 84 238 93. 33 92. 42 185 74. 64 179 96. 76 96. 32 Untreated 308 37 12. 01

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 77.2. 95% confidence limits of LD-95: 71.1 to 83.7. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=5.42+4.24X. Standard error of coefficient of X=0.21. NOTE.

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. X=Log1o of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit surface TABLE IV Emulsified 300 M.W. nickel hydrogenated spray Oll from catalytic cycle stock [California red scale] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated 129 23. 65 54 41. 86 38. 38 345 23. 73 189 54. 78 52. 07 144 27. 17 88 61. 11 58. 78 184 33. 65 112 60. 87 58. 53 235 36. 97 219 93. 19 92. 78 249 45. 54 243 97. 59 97. 45 171 48. 47 164 95. 91 95. 67 182 49. 53 179 98. 35 98. 254 52. 79 253 99. 61 99. 59 187 66. 82 186 99. 47 99. 44 355 71. 27 353 99. 44 99. 41 Untreated 283 16 5. 65

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 45.4. 95% confidence limits of LD95: 43.1 to 47.8. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=5.64+6.28X. Standard error of Coefllcient of X=0.31. N orE:

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. X Logic, of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit surface.

8 TABLE V Emulsified 305 M.W. spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [California red scale] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. em. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated- 328 19. 94 107 32. 62 30. 58 263 22. 37 87 33. 08 31. 05 280 22. 65 143 51. 07 49. 59 261 24. 12 135 51. 72 59. 26 273 24.37 163 59. 71 58. 49 315 33. 81 252 80. 00 79. 39 174 34. 31 152 87. 36 86. 98 216 41. 45 210 97. 22 97. 14 271 43. 31 245 90. 41 90. 12 186 53. 43 180 96. 77 96. 67 Untreated 306 9 2. 94

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 45.3. 95% confidence limits of LD 95: 42.7 to 48.1. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=5.26+5.95X. Standard error of coefficient of X=0.26. Norm:

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. X=Logm of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit surface.

TABLE VI Emalsified 320 M.W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic'cycle stock [California red scale] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated. 306 14.96 126 41. 18 37. 97 219 15. 41 48 21. 92 17. 65 227 21. 11 112 49. 34 46. 57 271 21. 94 130 47. 97 45. 13 195 31. 47 9O 46. 15 43. 21 169 32. 98 112 66. 27 64. 43 260 39. 03 194 74. 62 73. 23 229 39. 38 164 71. 62 70. 07 372 42. 28 345 92. 74 92. 34 197 43. 44 177 89. 89. 30 187 44. 51 184 98. 40 98. 31 286 49. 49 259 90. 56 90. 04 Untreated 251 13 5.18

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 65.4. 95% confidence limits of LD-95: 59.9 to 71.3. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=5.37+3.69X.

Standard error of coeiiieient of X=0.l8. N orn:

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. X=Logw of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit surface.

TABLE VII Emulsified 340 M.W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [California red scale] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated. 213 14.16 65 30. 52 27. 59 273 15. 11 8O 29. 30 26. 32 178 25. 39 148 83. 15 82. 44 217 27. 97 128 58. 99 57. 26 223 35. 78 198 88. 79 88.32 264 37. 27 242 91. 67 91. 32 213 43. 43 199 93. 43 93. 15 226 45. 05 209 92. 48 92. 16 260 52. 71 255 98. 08 98. O0 244 60. 243 99. 59 99. 57 Untreated 296 1 l2 4. 05

LD in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 46.4. 95% confidence limits of LD-952 43.3 to 49.7. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=5.56+4.56X. Standard error of coefficient of X=0.20. NOTE:

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. X=L0gm of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit surface.

9 TABLE VIII Emulsified 360 M.W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [California red scale] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, N umber units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated. 363 25.22 102 28. 10 24. 74 278 26. 26 148 53. 24 51.06 326 29. 46 205 62.88 61. 15 248 29. 94 197 79. 44 78. 48 394 30. 7 3 268 68. 02 66. 53 328 30. 96 195 59. 45 57. 56 305 38.40 233 76. 39 75. 29 353 39. 90 334 94. 62 94. 37 314 44. 41 298 94. 90 94. 66 184 49. 27 181 98. 37 98. 29 280 49. 61 266 95. 94. 77 239 50. 83 232 97. 07 96. 93 Untreated.. 202 9 4. 46

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 45.9. 95% confidence limits of LD-95: 44.2 to 47.6. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=5.48+7.45X. Standard error of coefilcieut of =0.31. NOTE:

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. X =Log1o of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit surface.

Table IX lists data from laboratory spray trials with the unhydrogenated spray oil of 305 average molecular weight, which were conducted to determine LD-95 values against citrus red mite eggs. As may be seen from the very low LD-95 value obtained, this oil is very efficient against citrus red mite eggs.

TABLE IX Emulsified 305 M.W. spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [Citrus red mite eggs] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated. 345 1. 15 230 66. 67 64. 96 359 1. 16 205 57. 54. 89 378 2. 14 287 75. 93 74. 69 314 2. 50 229 72. 93 71. 54 404 4. 39 395 97. 77 97. 66 434 5. 40 404 93. 09 92. 73 362 5. 75 344 95. 03 94. 77 297 8. 23 290 97. 64 97. 52 338 8. 37 325 96. 95. 95 331 8. 81 318 96.07 95.87 318 9. 62 312 98.11 98. 01 325 11.77 312 96.00 95. 79 351 13.32 350 99.72 99.71 356 13. 44 348 97. 75 97. 63 Untreated 470 23 4. 89

Tables X through XIV list data obtained in the determination of LD-95 values for nickel hydrogentaed spray oils from catalytic cycle stock against citrus red mite eggs. Again, it will be seen that the oil having the lower average molecular weight is less eificient, as shown by a higher LD-95 value, than the oils having molecular weights in the preferred range from about 300 to 320 and above.

19 Again, a comparison of the efliciency of the spray oils from catalytic cycle stock with that of oils from conventional paraflinic stock, as shown in Table XV, shows the catalytic stocks of 300 and above average molecular weight to be more efilcient than the corresponding conventionally produced oils. In the case of efi'iciency against citrus red mite, the advantage of the catalytic cycle OllS is more pronounced than was noted against California red scale.

TABLE X Emulsified 280 M.W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [Oitrusred mite eggs] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated 239 10.04 88 36. 82 33. 50 215 11.07 109 50. 70 48. 11 143 13.89 55 38. 46 35. 23 211 14. 74 141 66. 82 65. 08 217 15. 45 48. 39 45. 68 123 17. 01 64 52. 03 49. 51 185 18. 68 94 50. 81 48. 23 299 22. 16 257 85. 95 85. 21 193 24. 33 117 60. 62 58. 55 278 26. 81 236 84. 89 84. 10 187 41. 46 142 75. 94 74. 68 166 45. 51 107 64. 46 62. 59 229 45. 98 215 93. 89 93. 57 267 54. 09 260 97.38 97.24 Untreated 381 19 4.99

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 80.1. 95% confidence limits of LD-95z 67.3 to 95.2. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=5.38+2.17X. Standard error of coeilieient oi X=O.12.

Nora:

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. X=Log1o of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit surface.

TABLE XI Emulsified 300 M.W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [Citrus red mite eggs] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Troated 227 1. 25 67 29. 52 25. 47 267 1. 61 96 35. 96 32. 28 215 2. 16 98 45. 58 42. 45 263 4. 08 138 52. 47 49. 74 219 4. 24 173 79. 00 77. 79 234 4. 83 172 73. 50 71. 98 196 6. 00 181 92. 35 91. 91 216 6. 43 192 88. 89 88. 25 262 7. 51 203 77.48 76. 18 166 7. 52 99. 40 99. 37 227 9. 00 223 98. 24 98. 14 207 12. 32 194 93. 72 93. 36 Untreated. 294 16 5. 44

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 12.2. 95% confidence limits of LD-95 10.6 to 14.0. Probit analysis of regression equation: Y:5.41+2.45X. Standard error of coefficient of X:O.12. NOTE YzProbit value for percent mortality. X LOgm of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm.

of fruit surface.

TABLE XII Emulsified 320 M. W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [Citrus red mite eggs] 5 Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated- 309 O. 87 205 66. 34 63. 93 237 1. 12 104 43. 88 39. 86 283 1. 17 147 51. 94 48. 50 189 2. 07 132 69. 84 67. 68 232 2. 41 154 66. 38 63. 97 293 2. 99 258 88. 05 87. 19 15 228 3. 58 189 82. 89 81. 67 259 4. 88 243 93. 82 93. 38 364 5. 34 352 96. 70 96. 46 209 6. 04 193 92. 34 91. 79 247 6. 36 242 97. 98 97. 84 Untreated. 449 30 6. 68

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface 8.4. 95% confidence limits of LD-95 6.7 to 10.5. Probit analysis regression equation Y:5.77+1.49X. Standard error of coefiicient of X:0.10. Norm YzProbit value for percent mortality. XzLogio of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. 0

of fruit surface.

TABLE TABLE XIV Emulsified 360 M .W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [Citrus red mite eggs] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated. 167 0. 03 92 55. 09 53. 07 210 0. 03 122 58. 56. 21 208 0. 03 140 67. 31 65. 84 177 0. 31 153 86. 44 85. 83 234 1. 79 195 83. 33 82. 58 193 1. 91 180 93. 26 92. 96 290 3. 10 280 96. 55 96. 39 224 3. 45 211 94. 20 93. 94 185 4. 34 179 96. 76 96. 61 226 4. 83 222 98. 23 98. 204 5. 202 99. 02 98. 98 Untreated 14 4. 31

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 3.6. 95% confidence limits of LD-95: 2.3 to 5.6. Probit analysis regression equation: Y= 5.86+0.69X. Standard Error of coefficient of X=0.04. NOTE:

Y=Probit value for percent mortality. X=Logm of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sp. cm. of fruit surface.

Comparison of spray oils produced in accordance with present invention and prior art spray oils Distillation data at 10 i'DlIL, F. LD-95, micrograms oil/sq. Average 0 Oil molecular Vis. at 100 Weight SU 10% 90% 10-90% Citrus red California range mite eggs red scale Catalytic cycle stock 285 383 393 10 52.8 77.2 305 403 43 28 59. 3 6. 7 45. 3

Nickel hydrogenated catalytic cycle stock 280 356 382 26 50.4 80. 1 128. 2 300 401 415 14 60. 9 12. 2 45. 4

Conventionally produced spray oils 1 275 356 386 30 47. 2 2 n.e. 89 290 377 410 33 52. 4 69 8a 1 Data from papers by G. W. Pearce and P. J. Chapman of New University of California Citrus Experiment Station, published in 2 N onetlectiveat all concentrations tested.

TABLE XIII Emulsified 340 M.W. nickel hydrogenated spray oil from catalytic cycle stock [Citrus red mite eggs] Total Percent kill number Oil deposit, Number units micrograms units counted per sq. cm. dead Observed Abbott corrected Treated 278 0. 33 220 79. 14 77. 51 323 0. 33 243 75. 23 73. 30 310 0. 43 279 90. 00 89. 22 189 0. 60 177 93. 65 93. 16 336 2. 51 299 88. 99 88. 13 248 4. 54 232 93. 55 93. 05 350 5. 22 332 94. 86 94. 46 269 6. 05 264 98. 14 98. 00 262 7. 46 259 98. 85 98. 76 293 10. 42 258 88. 05 87. 12 Untreated 346 25 7. 23

LD-95 in micrograms of oil/sq. cm. of fruit surface: 11.5. 95% confidence limits of LD-95: 5.5 to 23.8. Probit analysis regression equation: Y=6.16+0.50X. Standard error of coefficient of X=0.06. N o'rE:

Y=Probit value for per cent mortality. X=Lfogm of oil deposit in micrograms of oil per sq. cm. of fruit sur ace.

York State Agricultural Experiment Station and by L. A. Riehl and J. P. LaRue, American Chemical Society Advances in Chemistry, Series No. 7 (1952).

Of further significance with respect to the unique and superior qualities of spray oils from catalytic cycle stock is that these oils have excellent pestieidal efficiency while causing no acute injury to citrus trees. This was demonstrated in a field application of a nickel hydrogenated catalytic spray oil similar to the oil described herein as having about 300 average molecular Weight. This oil was sprayed on navel orange trees in southern California in the amount of 30 to 35 gallons of spray mixture per tree of average 14-foot height. After a period of several weeks, no damage to the trees was noted.

As stated, the spray oil of the present invention is applied to fruit trees in the form of an emulsion by spraying the fruit trees and the like with the emulsion. The emulsion breaks on deposition on the surfaces of the fruit trees allowing the oil to be deposited thereon with the water dropping off.

The invention is quite important and useful in that improved results are obtained in controlling insects on vegetation, particularly, on fruit trees. Heretofore, oils of this nature have not been applied to fruit trees or other vegetation. Likewise, oils giving the kills obtained with the present invention with the given amount of deposit have not been obtainable. Indeed, it is quite surprising 13 that such small amounts of oil deposits would be effective in controlling insects on fruit trees and the like.

The nature and objects of the present invention, having been completely described and illustrated and the best mode thereof set forth, What we wish to claim as new and useful and secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A method for producing a spray oil which comprises extracting a catalytic cracking cycle stock having 10% distilling between about 360 F. to 420 F. and 90% distilling between about 420 F. to 520 F. as determined by the ASTM D1160 method at 10 mm. pressure with a solvent having a preferential selectivity for aromatic constituents as compared to paraffinic constituents to form a rafiinate phase and an extract phase, separating said phases, hydrofining said rafl'lnate phase after removal of solvent therefrom, dewaxing said hydrofined raflinate phase, and recovering saturated spray oil from said dewaxed hydrofined rafiinate phase consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon fraction having a molecular weight within the range from about 300 to about 380 and having 2 an ASTM unsulfonated residue of at least about 95%.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the dewaxed hydrofined rafiinate is subjected to hydrogenation prior to recovery of said spray oil.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 in which the reafiinate phase is hydrofined in the presence of a cobalt molybdate catalyst to a sulfur content less than about 50 ppm. and the dewaxed raffinate phase is hydrogenated in the presence of a nickel catalyst.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the solvent is phenol.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,361,080 10/1944 Bolt et a1. 208l5 2,660,553 11/1953 Knox 208-96 3,001,932 9/1961 Pietsch 2082l1 3,006,843 10/1961 Archibald 2082l1 FOREIGN PATENTS 553,540 2/1958 Canada.

DELBERT E. GANTZ Primary Examiner. H. LEVINE, Examiner. 

1. A METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SPRAY OIL WHICH COMPRISES EXTRACTING A CATALYTIC CRACKING CYCLE STOCK HAVING 10% DISTILLING BETWEEN ABOUT 360*F. TO 420*F. AND 90% DISTILLING BETWEEN ABOUT 420*F. TO 520*F. AS DETERMINED BY THE ASTM D-1160 METHOD AT 10 MM. PRESSURE WITH A SOLVENT HAVING A PREFERENTIAL SELECTIVITY FOR AROMATIC CONSTITUENTS AS COMPARED TO PARAFFINIC CONSTITUENTS TO FORM A RAFFINATE PHASE AND AN EXTRACT PHASE, SEPARATING SAID PHASES, HYDROFINING SAID RAFFINATE PHASE AFTER REMOVAL OF SOLVENT THEREFROM, DEWAXING SAID HYDROFINED RAFFINATE PHASE, AND RECOVERING SATURATED SPRAY OIL FROM SAID DEWAXED HYDROCARBON RAFFINATE PHASE CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A HYDROCARBON FRACTION HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT WITHIN THE RANGE FROM ABOUT 300 TO ABOUT 380 AND HAVING AN ASTM UNSULFONATED RESIDUE OF AT LEAST ABOUT 95%. 